Method for terminating an optical waveguide into an optical component

Abstract

The invention is directed to a waveguide termination comprising a waveguide having an end and a window through which light can pass. The end of the waveguide has an elliptical face and the elliptical face reflects light between the waveguide and the window. Preferably the optical waveguide is an optical fibre.

1 . A waveguide termination comprising: 
 a waveguide having an end, said end having an elliptical face; and    a window through which light can pass,    wherein the elliptical face reflects light between the waveguide and the window.    
     
     
         2 . A waveguide termination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the waveguide is an optical fibre.  
     
     
         3 . A waveguide termination as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the elliptical face has a reflective coating.  
     
     
         4 . An optical component comprising: 
 a waveguide having an end, said end having an elliptical face; and    a window through which light can pass,    wherein the elliptical face reflects light between the waveguide and the window.    
     
     
         5 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the waveguide is an optical fibre.  
     
     
         6 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 4 , further comprising a housing, said housing having a face, wherein said window is in said face of the housing.  
     
     
         7 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the window is an opening in the face of the housing.  
     
     
         8 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said window is made from an optically transparent material.  
     
     
         9 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said window comprises a lens.  
     
     
         10 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising a lens mounted within the housing.  
     
     
         11 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the lens is a focussing lens.  
     
     
         12 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the lens is fixed within the housing to the window.  
     
     
         13 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the waveguide is fixed to the face of the housing.  
     
     
         14 . An optical component as claimed in  claim 13  further comprising a cover, wherein the cover is fixed to said face of the housing such that it protects the end of the waveguide.  
     
     
         15 . An optical receiver comprising: 
 a waveguide having an end, said end having an elliptical face;    a housing having a window; and    a detector, said detector being fixed within the housing,    wherein the elliptical face is capable of reflecting light from the waveguide, through the window and onto the detector.    
     
     
         16 . An optical receiver as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising a lens mounted within the housing, said lens being capable of focusing light from the optical waveguide on to the detector.  
     
     
         17 . An optical transceiver including a receiver as claimed in  claim 15 .  
     
     
         18 . A network element including an optical component as claimed in  claim 4 .  
     
     
         19 . An optical system including an optical component as claimed in  claim 4 .  
     
     
         20 . A method of terminating a waveguide comprising the steps of: 
 taking a waveguide having an end, said end having an elliptical face;    taking a window;    aligning the waveguide and the window such that the elliptical face reflects light between the waveguide and the window.    
     
     
         21 . A method of terminating a waveguide as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the waveguide is an optical fibre.  
     
     
         22 . A method of terminating a waveguide as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said window is in a face of a housing.  
     
     
         23 . A method of terminating a waveguide as claimed in  claim 22 , further comprising the step of fixing the waveguide to said face of the housing.  
     
     
         24 . A method of terminating a waveguide as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said window is an opening in the face of the housing.  
     
     
         25 . A method of terminating a waveguide as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the elliptical face has a reflective coating.  
     
     
         26 . A method of terminating a waveguide as claimed in  claim 23  further comprising the steps of: 
 taking a cover; and  
 mounting said cover to said face of the housing such that it protects the elliptical face.  
 
     
     
         27 . A method of manufacturing an optical receiver comprising the steps of: 
 taking a housing having a face and a detector, said face having a window and said detector being mounted in the housing;    taking an optical waveguide, said waveguide having an end, said end having an elliptical face; and    mounting the optical waveguide on the face of the housing such that the elliptical face is capable of reflecting light from the optical waveguide, through the window and onto the detector.    
     
     
         28 . A method of manufacturing an optical receiver as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the optical waveguide is an optical fibre.  
     
     
         29 . A method of manufacturing an optical receiver as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the housing further comprises a lens mounted within the housing, said lens being capable of focussing light from said optical waveguide on to said detector.  
     
     
         30 . A method of manufacturing an optical receiver as claimed in  claim 27  further comprising the steps of: 
 taking a cover; and  
 mounting said cover to said face of the housing such that it protects the elliptical face.  
 
     
     
         31 . A waveguide termination comprising: 
 a waveguide having a bevelled end; and    a window through which light can pass,    wherein the bevelled end reflects light between the waveguide and the window.